Out of 40 consumer district forums across Maharashtra, 19 are dysfunctional due to vacant posts of presidents and members, the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat said in its PIL

Mumbai: Irked with the lackadaisical attitude of Maharashtra government regarding vacancies in consumer redressal forums across the state, the Bombay High Court on Friday directed it to complete the selection process of candidates for the vacant posts by 31 January 2013, reports PTI.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice DD Sinha and Justice KK Tated was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Mumbai Grahak Panchayat which stated that out of 40 consumer district forums across Maharashtra, 19 are dysfunctional due to vacant posts of presidents and members.

The bench, which has been directing the government since May this year to fill up these vacancies, was irked with the State Consumer Redressal Commission registrar's affidavit seeking extension of time to fill up vacancies.

According to the affidavit, out of 40 posts for presidents of district forums across the state, 34 are lying vacant and the total number of vacancies in the posts for non- judicial members is 55.

The affidavit stated that interviews have already been held for filling up of the posts of presidents.

The bench then directed the government to complete the selection process of vacant posts by 31 January 2013 and issue appointment orders within three weeks thereafter.

The court also said that henceforth, when a person retires, the state government should issue advertisements to fill up the post three months in advance.

The High Court expressing its unhappiness asked the Delhi Police to provide details of its officers on patrol duty in the area covered by the bus in which a young paramedical girl was gang-raped

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday slammed the police for being "evasive" in its probe status report in providing details of its officers on patrol duty in the area covered by the bus in which a young paramedical girl was gang-raped for about 40 minutes, reports PTI.

"In the (earlier) order, the police commissioner was also directed to file a report giving details of the police officers patrolling in the area and the action taken in this aspect.

"On this aspect a report is filed... We have gone through the report and we are not convinced. None of the details of the police officers have been mentioned," a bench headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan said.

The court expressed its unhappiness and said, "We make it clear such a report, giving all the details, be filed without any delay."

The bench, also comprising Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, made the observation after perusing the status report filed by Delhi Police through its DCP Chhaya Sharma in pursuance of the earlier order by which the court had taken suo moto cognizance of the incident.

The hearing commenced with the court posing a query as to why the report was "evasive" about the details of the police officers who were on patrolling duty during the time when the girl was sexually assaulted and beaten for about 40 minutes in a moving bus on Sunday night.

During the hearing, Justice Murugesan expressed his anguish and said, "It is an evasive report. You have not given any detail of police officers who were on duty. We will write in our order that a comprehensive report is not filed."

Najmi Waziri, appearing for the city police, tried to pacify the bench saying "I agree that more details should have come before the court. Entire bureaucracy is seized of the matter and our primary focus is to investigate the case."

He assured the bench that a more elaborate report will be filed later.

The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on 9th January.

The bench had on 19th December taken suo motu cognisance of the gang rape incident and had decided to monitor its probe by directing police to carry a "high standard" investigation and file the chargesheet only after the court's perusal.

"Nobody is safe," the court had said noting that such incidents repeatedly happen in the city.

It had asked the police how the bus, having tinted glasses, kept plying on busy roads for 40 minutes and the sexual assault remained undetected.

The court had directed the Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar to file a status report within two days giving all details.

During today's hearing, the court directed the Delhi Government to look into the lack of infrastructure and other facility at Central Forensice Science Laboratory(CFSL).

"We are informed that there is no director at the CFSL and there are two deputy directors in the CFSL who are not competent and leads to delay of one to two years in the investigation.

"Evidence is lost. They don't accept any sample as there is shortage of chemicals also. If it is so, then please rectify it immediately," the bench said.

The court, however, disallowed the plea of a woman lawyer that the 23-year-old girl be shifted to Apollo Hospital here.

"As far as this request is concerned, we have already noted in our previous order that the victim, if possible be shifted to a super speciality hospital for the best treatment," it said.

The court allowed the submission of Waziri that the report be kept in sealed cover as it contains crucial and sensitive information relating to the ongoing probe in the case.

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COMMENTS

MANAS

4 years ago

Truth is bitter and harder to digest.We are becoming animals (junglee or sophisticated and polished animals by this type of Maculey founed education.),so we deserve this type of incident.We are forgetteen the Heroes (7 lakh appx.from 1757-1947)who sacrificed their life .Even animal may not forget his/her hero who sacrificed for him/her.Has among the persons who were in Kalapani or fought in Azand hind (INA) be in power OR drfted the constituion ,We have rarely see such type of criminal and our like animal who can roar but not bite .ARE WE ACCEPTING THIS TRUTH?

MANAS

Why are U not posting my comment?

Vaibhav Dhoka

4 years ago

The crime is very heinous,and police reply shows intensiveness to every action.Our police rise only when there is political pressure due to its involvement.But judiciary is equally responsible for such incidence. A murder convict gets bail easily at a price.One gets parole and if he does not return police have new job to rearrest such criminals,in which lot of energy and time is wasted.In India most of the services one gets at pre decided price tag.May it be bail,or food in jail or any other service.This crime shows how low we can stoop in society.This shows every one is society is becoming part of such CRIME.I wish earliest recovery for victim and good health as whole nation is beside her.

nagesh kini

In Reply to Vaibhav Dhoka4 years ago

In India where murderers like Yadav get parole ostensibly to see sick mother see mother and son at pubs.
The Italians are allowed to for Christmas with families. Peaceful
Student demonstrators subjected to lathi charge, water cannons and tear gas shells and criminally charged neta-mantri-shantris strut in multi-man security
There should be no bail or parole.

nagesh kini

In Reply to Vaibhav Dhoka4 years ago

In India where murderers like Yadav get parole ostensibly to see sick mother see mother and son at pubs.
The Italians are allowed to for Christmas with families. Peaceful
Student demonstrators subjected to lathi charge, water cannons and tear gas shells and criminally charged neta-mantri-shantris strut in multi-man security
There should be no bail or parole.

nagesh kini

4 years ago

The Commissioner of Delhi Police was most insensitive at the Press conference with the Union Home Secretary who had to intervene frequently. His head must be the first to roll when the HC rightly calls the reply "evasive".
Why did counsel in the first place file the reply that s/he later admits will not suffice?
Our Union Home Minister SS was once a cop!

nagesh kini

4 years ago

The Commissioner of Delhi Police was most insensitive at the Press conference with the Union Home Secretary who had to intervene frequently. His head must be the first to roll when the HC rightly calls the reply "evasive".
Why did counsel in the first place file the reply that s/he later admits will not suffice?
Our Union Home Minister SS was once a cop!

MANAS

nagesh kini

4 years ago

The Commissioner of Delhi Police was most insensitive at the Press conference with the Union Home Secretary who had to intervene frequently. His head must be the first to roll when the HC rightly calls the reply "evasive".
Why did counsel in the first place file the reply that s/he later admits will not suffice?
Our Union Home Minister SS was once a cop!